September 2025
WINE OF THE MONTH
Every month we give a little spotlight time to a hidden treasure, a wine we think you should meet (and hopefully fall in love with). To encourage the introduction, we offer the wine at 25% OFF the bottle price for the given month.
Römerhof 2024 Riesling Kabinett • Mosel, Germany • Reg $21.99 | 25% OFF = $16.49
The family who owns this winery has been producing wine in the Mosel for more than 400 years. Classic soft, ripe flavors of apple & pear on the mid-palate, followed by a pleasant acidity on the finish. Classic off-dry white. Curious? Try one. Great for spicy dishes, seafood, and grilled sausages! Any combo of salty, rich, sweet, spicy is what Riesling was made for. Enjoy this excellent wine at a great price.
JENS’ TOP PICKS
Every month Portalis owner Jens Strecker picks 8-12 wines that he thinks are outstanding … for any reason he chooses. Here are his September Picks — made with late summer, early fall in mind!
Domaine de La Chapelle Saint Victor 2024 Coteaux d'Aix en Provence Rosé • Provence, France, Washington • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
Blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah. Very floral nose (jasmine), strawberries, raspberries. Flavors of white peach, red fruit, pink grapefruit, and citrus going all the way through the fresh, dry, crisp finish. Winery’s suggested pairing pictured.
Chateau Saint-Martin 2022 Les 37 Languedoc Blanc • Languedoc-Roussillon, France • Reg $22.99 | Mixed Case $18.39
Fun, local blend of Terret 45%, Picpoul 40%, Roussanne 15%. Nose of crunchy, earthy, Asian pear with water over rocks minerality. Flavors of apples, pears, stone fruits and earth, pebbles. Super-fine acidity and then bam — a pronounced note of lemon/lime on the finish. Great wine!!
Cavalchina 2022 Bardolino Rosso • Veneto, Italy • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
Classic blend of Corvina-Rondinella-Molinara. Strawberries, red raspberries, note of earth on the nose. Light! 12.5% alc. Fresh. Red plum & raspberries on the palate, but not super fruity. Easy drinking. Great with chicken tagine — lemony, spicy.
Stephanie & Vincent Michelet 2023 Chablis • Burgundy, France • Reg $41.99 | Mixed Case $33.59
100% stainless steel aged Chardonnay. “Great notes of ripe fruits aromas (peach, apricot) enhanced by citrus notes. A remarkable aromatic intensity, well structured. This wine delights with its generosity and its very refreshing finish, ending by nice mineral notes. Wonderful with smoked salmon or grilled fishes - lovely with scallops.” —winemaker’s notes.
Stephanie Michelet pictured.
Emmanuel Darnaud 2023 Crozes-Hermitage • Northern Rhône, France • Reg $33.99 | Mixed Case $27.19
100% organic Syrah from vineyards of glacial alluvium (rolled pebbles). "Black raspberries, hints of cassis, pepper, and spring flowers, as well as a beautiful sense of minerality. … This is a medium-bodied, pure, elegant effort that has fine tannins and a great finish. Darnaud makes a number of wines in the appellation, but the Mise en Bouche is intentionally done in a lighter, fresher style that lends itself well to drinking upon release while sacrificing none of the complexity Syrah is known for." –importer's notes.
Emmanuel Darnaud pictured.
Andrew Will 2023 Sangiovese Ciel de Cheval •Red Mountain, Washington • Reg $41.99 | Mixed Case $33.59
100% Sangiovese. Dark violets and black fruits on the nose. Well-balanced with flavors of blackberries, blueberries, dark cherries and herbal notes. Smooth finish with fine tannins.
Father/son team Chris & Will Camarda pictured with their dogs.
EZY TGR 2023 Light Red • Oregon • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
50% Early Muscat (origin dates back to 1943, when it was crossed by Harold Olmo – M.Hamburg + Szőlőskertek királynője, a rare Hungarian clone) + 50% Co-fermented Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Noir, Mencia. Organic. 12% alc. Cranberry, blood orange. Tease of effervescence! Sort of like a flavorful spritz. Super fun & refreshing.
Glassblower 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon • Napa Valley, California • Reg $23.99 | Mixed Case $19.19
South Napa Vintners is a co-op & they are killing it with the price and the wine! Nose is full of red & black plums, blackberries, spicy earth. Flavors of plums, black cherries, cassis, dark coffee, mocha. Jens: This wine is really good!! Fine tannins on the finish. Soft acidity. Under $25? Best cab we have on the shelf.
Crow Haven Winery 2024 Riesling • Rattlesnake Hills, Washington • Reg $21.99 | Mixed Case $17.59
New vintage! This one tastes more like a classic Dried apricot, a little peach, and water running over rocks (minerality) on the nose. More soft peach on the palate + a little citrus, then the neutral oak adds a wonderful complexity. This vintage is fuller in the mid-palate, has more weight. More of a classic Riesling-style. Crisp, acidic, long, fun finish.
Really creative winemaking. Bothel father/son team Maxx & Paul McGoff (with Maxx living in Ballard). Support your neighbors. You'll be glad you did.
Mas des Bressades 2022 Costières de Nîmes Rouge • Southern Rhône, France • Reg $18.99 | Mixed Case $15.19
Syrah/Grenache. Dusted raspberries & black cherries on the nose. Earthy notes, touch of herbs. Flavors of black & red raspberries, black cherries, plums all the way through. Big wine, fuller-bodied. Tannins on the finish in the best way if you like that style. Made for a piece of meat off the grill. Then it won’t taste so dry.